Prodi set to offer EU leaders right to overthrow Commission

Date: 31/10/02

By Dana Spinant

THE European Commission is set to propose a revolutionary change in the balance of powers between EU institutions, by offering to be politically accountable before the Union's heads of state and government.

The consequence would be that not only the European Parliament but also the European Council would have the power to overthrow the Commission.

The plans, discussed by commissioners yesterday (30 October), are seen as a bid to block proposals put forward by France, Spain and the UK to elect an EU president.

Key politicians say the move would be the end of the Commission's independence, as the College would be in the hands of the member state leaders. However, Commission insiders claim that, by assuming political responsibility before the European Council, the EU executive will save the 'Community method'.

'It is an intelligent move. The Commission is trying to say that there is an alternative to an elected president of the European Council,' a senior Convention member said. 'This way, there will be just one president, and not two.'

The proposal has been put forward by the Commission's President Romano Prodi, who is working with commissioners Michel Barnier and António Vitorino on plans for a new institutional set-up in the EU.

'It is all part of the same strategy,' a Commission spokesman said. 'In an enlarged Europe, the Commission must play a pivotal role. To enable it to carry out this role, we must reinforce its political responsibility. It must enjoy the confidence of both the European Council and the Parliament,' he added.

The plans could also be a lever to boost the Commission's claim for powers over foreign policy, justice and home affairs, and economic policy coordination. 'We want to obtain powers over those three areas, and we are willing to commit, in counterpart, to more political responsibility,' the Commission spokesman added.

The Commission's concept of dual accountability to member state leaders and the Parliament would match its vision of a Union of states and peoples. The Commission's president would be elected by the Parliament, but commissioners are yet to decide whether MEPs would choose a candidate or vote on an applicant presented by EU governments.

The Commission, which will unveil its radical blueprint on 18 November, is also considering another explosive question: whether the European Council should have the power to dissolve the Parliament.

The European Commission is set to propose a revolutionary change in the balance of powers between EU institutions, by offering to be politically accountable before the European Union's heads of state and government.